Can you feel it? In just a few hours, Eurovision 2012 has its first semifinal round. I'm a big fan of the contest because--let's face it--a lot of these countries try to win with a gimmick or stage spectacle. You never know what way the voters are going to go and whether or not a novelty act has a shot. It's a fun event centered around music and international culture. Here are two countries I hope to see in the finals of Eurovision 2012.
First are the competitors from Russia. The video of their performance of "Party for Everybody" has gone viral. Why? It's six grandmothers in traditional Russian costuming singing a catchy pop song about dancing while quietly shuffling back and forth on stage.
The song is cute and well-produced. The novelty of the older women singing it will not go unnoticed today. It doesn't hurt that the chorus is "Party for everybody. Come on and dance. Come on and dance. Come on and dance. Party for everybody..." over and over. It's been stuck in my head for weeks.
The second country I want in the finals is Ireland. Sketchy Details' favorite Jedward are back again with a new high energy pop song. "Waterline" might not be as catchy as last year's "Lipstick," but Jedward have improved a lot as singers in the past year without ditching their onstage antics.
Jedward is super high energy and they make it hard not to like them. We'll see how far that gets them with a more traditional pop song.
Actually, judging by this rehearsal photograph, I think they're a lock for the finals.
So who is moving onto the finals in Eurovision 2012? What acts should people pay attention to? Any actual pop stars in the mix this year? Sound off below. I want to know.